Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Finals


Uh oh, finals are almost upon us! IU students everywhere are cringing at the thought of these dreaded tests. These seem really frightening, but in all honesty, they're really not as horrible as they seem. Starting two weeks before finals the Wells Library starts to get full. It's common knowledge that if you manage to get a spot in the library, don't move or else it'll get taken so fast you won't even know what hit you. Every inch of the library (including floor space) is filled with eager final-studiers. I talked to a few people on my floor about what they have either started doing or plan on doing to study and prepare as final's week approaches. Some of them gave some pretty interesting answers. Good luck to everyone who has finals and have a great winter break!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thanksgiving Break





All the people on my floor, myself included, are all looking forward to Thanksgiving break. It's a time when students don't have to worry about homework, studying and getting stuff done. All we have to do is see family and eat great food. For many students who live far away this break might be the first time they get to go home. Thanksgiving break also comes at a time when students desperately need a break from studying to recharge before finals.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Read Room Decorations

When I got to college, I was really excited about making my dorm room my own; being able to rearrange and decorate however I wanted. I figured since I was so excited about my room, other people on my floor had to be just as excited about theirs.
I went around to three people and asked what they liked and didn’t like about their room and their set up. Some told me how much they love it while others told me what they want to change. 





Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Community Leadership and Development Center






The CLDC is an amazing resource located in the Read residence hall.

When ever I'm stressed with school work, I go down to the CLDC and do some craft projects just to unwind and clear my mind.

Most of the students I talked to about the center don't know what it is, it's mostly used by Resident Assistants to make bulletin boards, but I whole heartedly believe this resource can benefit so many people.

If you've never been to the CLDC try it out

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Read Speed Dating






     Earlier this month, the 4th floor resident assistants of Read, Landes and Curry came together to plan a speed-dating event for their residents. Over 40 guys and girls came to get to know the people on their floors.

     The RA’s set up two rows, one for the guys and one for the girls. As all the people filled into the room, soothing and smooth music played in the background.

      Each couple was given four minutes to get to know one another; to get to know their background, interests, and personalities. After those four minutes were up, the guys said their goodbyes and got up to move down to the next girl.

      One full rotation was made so that all the guys were able to meet all the girls.

      Because this event took place after the first couple of weeks into the semester, many people didn’t know their other floor mates; this event encouraged both the guys and the girl’s floor to really bond.     

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

What happens during freshman welcome week



            On the last Wednesday in August, all new IU-Bloomington freshman move on to the campus. All 11 residential buildings are busy with students and their parents trying to move everything in. Streets are packed and parking lots are full. 
           
            When students arrive, they have to first get the key to their room and a packet of information that includes all the rules of the residential halls, a calendar of all the welcome week activities, and a campus map. I keep mine all year (even veteran IU students get lost).
           
            Students and their parents take multiple trips up to rooms to unload clothes, microwaves, refrigerators, and much more. Once everything is unloaded rearranging and unpacking is the next step.
           
            Once everything is put in the right place, parents leave. For many this is the tearful part, sometimes for the students, the parents, or both. I’ll admit I teared up.

            That night, each floor of each resident hall has a floor meeting. Everyone on that floor gets together to meet each other and play icebreaker games. The Resident Assistant goes over rules and answers every body’s questions about classes and the IU-Bloomington campus.

            During the rest of welcome week, different groups on campus host tons of programs to encourage meeting new people, get to know the campus, and to keep new freshman from being homesick.

            Many students, not just freshman, take the time during welcome week to purchase their books for the upcoming semester. This often results in long lines, but I find that getting your books early is worth it. You don’t have to worry about it once classes start. 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Washington's new locals

     My name is Katie and I’m a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Spanish with a minor in political science. When I’m not at IU, I live with my mom and sister in Indianapolis, IN. I’m really looking forward to showing, through video, future students and anyone that is interested in IU what really goes on Indiana University’s campus.

      I enjoy the state of Indiana and all that it has to offer, but sometimes, it’s nice to get away. This summer, my mom, 10 year old sister and five year old labradoodle packed up the car and drove 4 days, 2500 miles, to one of my favorite places on earth; the teeny tiny town of Grayland, Washington.

To almost anyone else, Grayland is just a small town you pass through to get to somewhere bigger, but to me it’s heaven. My family owns a small 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage where it only takes five minutes to walk to the Pacific Ocean.

     As someone who lives in the Midwest, my mom and I are often laughed at by the Grayland townies that are used to everything Washington has to offer. Unfortunately Indiana doesn’t have an ocean. We, as Midwesterners have never had to understand tides, seafood, or 74 inches of rain a year, but to Washingtonians, it’s a way of life.

     After almost ten years of driving 4 days to Washington, this summer, my mom and I finally decided we could consider ourselves locals. We did some stuff this year that to everyone out there is normal, but to us was a totally different world. We went clamming and crabbing.

     By the end of the summer we were able to catch 120 steamer clams (which I wasn’t to fond of) and 11 Dungeness clams (which I was definitely fond of). We felt like true north westerners.

     Sadly, after 7 wonderful weeks, of reading, swimming, boogey boarding, clamming, crabbing, and eating amazing food, we had to make the horrible 4 day, 2500 mile trek back home.

     After returning home, I began getting ready for this year of college, but even though I am excited to start my sophomore year, I still really miss relaxing on the beach watching the waves crash against the surf.